Nursery in Greewich Vanbrugh/Maze Hill area

[GreenwichB]

Can anyone recommend a nursery in the Vanbrugh / Maze Hill / 02 area of Greenwich for a 7/8 month old? On a basic level I'm having trouble even finding a good source list to start calling them. If there are any registered childminders/nannies in the area with a vacancy in Feb 2011, please feel free to contact me.

We looked at a few nearly 4 years ago but, in the end, my ds1 (and now ds2) go to my work nursery in the centre of town. We looked at Teddies on Chevening Rd. It was OK but there was something about it I didn't really like. I think it has since been taken over by Bright Horizons, the form that runs my boys' nursery, so probably worth a look. They had a very long waiting list and were on the pricey side.

I know a few people with very good experience of the Robert Owen Early Years Centre, which is LA so cheaper with various extra community amenities, eg drop-in sessions for parents and babies. Ds1 almost went there but my dh witnessed an unacceptable action by a member of staff during a settling-in session (she lifted small child over a wall by his wrist alone) so we pulled out. We simply wouldn't have felt comfortable sending him there.

The place we liked but was too far away was Catherine House in Lewisham.

Not sure if that's any help at all, esp as it's out-of-date, but that was our experience. Good luck with it. It's a great place to be with young kids - there are so many places to go on foot and on public transport.

Whichever place you choose, you'd have to put your name down immediately - Greenwich has horrible waiting lists for nurseries. I waited over a year to get into Teddies. They're ok - not perfect, but ds loves it there.

I would like to know your common issues and problems related choosing a pre school, what are you looking for? How difficult is to find space? etc.
It was such a big step for me and my son, at first i was looking for the best Pre School in the area but i found that, the best one had long waiting list and in that point I could not get the days i want and the Pre School of our choice. What nightmare was! and then I started to look around and you will find quite i lot nursery /pre school but you wont dare to leave your precious little ones there. I already gave up work cos i wasn't happy with my child's Nursery so as qualified Nursery Nurse I thought i could provided better care to my child so i became Childminder providing a good service.
Now my child moved on to School and i want to go back what i enjoy to do the most which is working with Pre School kids.
Ultimately, choosing a preschool is a personal decision and I believe a great preschool will go beyond merely letting you in; it will invite you to become part of it.
I did eventually got a place of pre school of my choice but, not on the days i need and the time i want it but, i was determined to get my son in so he could gets the experience and help he needs to gain an appreciation of what school is like and a positive attitude toward school. It worked for him and He is doing so well at School. Mission accomplished.
I have a project to starting a Pre School in a nice location, I can change my registration from childcare provider on domestic premises to on non-domestic premises. So please send me your views Cheers